Yakima Holiday Travel Solutions Keep Family Trips Moving Smoothly
With the holiday season fast upon us, that can only mean one thing: FAMILY ROAD TRIPS.
Did you shudder just a little reading that? Perhaps you’re experiencing some traumatizing flashbacks to all those long car rides you spent jammed between the backpacks and the air mattress—your brother mercilessly kicking the back of your seat with the express intention of agitating your bladder because, of course, Dad refuses to make ANY pit stops. You’ll see, boys! We’re gonna shave a full 25 minutes off our travel time to Nana’s!
While we can’t erase the painful memories, we CAN recommend some top-of-the-line holiday travel solutions a là Yakima to help make your upcoming family trips a little more bearable. Because, let’s be honest, cold-weather travel is hard enough. With the ice, snow, slush, traffic, and incessant bickering over directions, music selection, and road snacks, you have your hands full. So, let Yakima ease the stress a little with its quality cargo and gear racks.
Expertly crafted to handle whatever you throw at them, Yakima travel solutions run the gamut from simple to comprehensive, so you can be sure to find the option that works best for your gear, vehicle, and adventures. We’ve broken down the cargo carriers by boxes, baskets, and bags, to make shopping a little easier.
The Yakima Cargo Box
“Duffels and tents, coolers and firewood—make more room inside by carrying it up top,” says Yakima. “Our cargo boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, all designed to maximize the amount of gear they can fit.”
And they’re not kidding about that “variety” part. Yakima cargo boxes range from 11-21 cubic feet of storage space in high-gloss, textured, or matte-black finishes. All made in the USA, Yakima’s rooftop boxes can be narrowed down to three main series: the SkyBox, the ShowCase, and the RocketBox Pro.
SkyBox
Sleek and aerodynamic to reduce drag and wind noise, the SkyBox series features dual-sided opening for easy gear access plus internal lid stiffeners and a new Carbonite textured lid for durability. Available in five sizes: Lo, 12, 16, 18, and 21 cubic feet, it’s incredibly easy to install. (No tools necessary!) And you don’t have to worry about your gear being out of sight, because the company’s SuperLatchTM security adds peace of mind.
ShowCase
The ShowCase features the same aerodynamic design, easy installation, dual-sided operation, and locking security, but sports a high-gloss modern finish. (It’s also available in a “Quicksilver” color.) Ideal for wagons, cars, and crossovers, the ShowCase comes in two sizes—15 or 20 cubic feet. Yakima suggests this cargo box for “weekends with friends, everyday urban traverses, and short road trips.”
RocketBox Pro
Perfect for maximizing family packing capacity, the RocketBox Pro offers all the same great features of its cargo box siblings but rocks a trendy matte-black finish and comes in 11, 12, and 14 cubic feet sizes.
The Yakima Cargo Basket
Traveling with a large brood and concerned that cargo box ain’t gunna cut it? Check out Yakima’s versatile and rugged rooftop baskets. These puppies are designed to accommodate fishermen, hunters, and outdoor adventurers of all shapes and sizes—they can surely stand up to the holiday travel you have in mind.
OffGrid
“With its burly build and sleek, aerodynamic looks, the OffGrid cargo basket hits the sweet spot where modern style and country strong come together,” says the company. Built of durable steel to handle heavy-duty cargo, the OffGrid also sports adjustable accessory bars so you can add mounts for winter sports gear or just pin down bulky items. Plus, Yakima offers extensions pieces so you can add 40% more carrying space. Tool-free mounting hardware, makes installation a breeze. And integrated fairing reduces wind noise and drag while driving.
Warrior
Next up is the Warrior Cargo Basket collection, consisting of the medium-sized LoadWarrior, extra-large MegaWarrior, and, the newest addition, the slim SkinnyWarrior. All are built from rugged, weather-resistant steel and come with optional extensions of the same material to expand cargo capacity. They feature a simple and quick installation, requiring minimal assembly. And, each one accommodates most of the available Yakima gear mounts so you can add outdoor accessories and utilize the rack year-round.
LockNLoad
Sitting somewhere between a basket and a platform is the LockNLoad. Rated to hold 165–440 pounds (depending on vehicle fit and roof type) and tested in the Australian Outback, this is the ultimate holiday travel solution. Does Grandma’s house sit at the peak of Mount McKinley? Because you and all those presents will get there no-problem with the LockNLoad. Available in six sixes and featuring integrated T-slots throughout the platform, it’s easy to customize to your needs. And like all of Yakima’s cargo solutions, you can expect a headache-free installation.
Remember to add on a custom-fit stretch net to keep loose gear from flying off. Yakima’s got you covered there, too.
The Yakima Cargo Bag
“Our cargo bags let you take adventure with you, wherever you go and whatever you do,” says Yakima. And as far as holiday travel solutions go, these are not only useful but incredibly budget-friendly, too. Available in two styles—the CargoPack and the DryTop—both bags are water-resistant and offer 16 cubic feet of space.
Securing to vehicles with or without roof racks, these heavy-duty ballistic nylon cargo bags are a great temporary carrying solution for vehicle owners who don’t like the idea of a more permanent rooftop addition. Easy to install, remove, and store when not in use, these bags are also easy to manipulate and stabilize before you hit the road, thanks to their adjustable straps and soft construction.
Remember, family road trips are stressful enough. Let Yakima holiday travel solutions bear some of the burden by—at the very least—creating a little more breathing room inside your vehicle. Who knows? With a little extra space and a pit stop or two on the itinerary, you might just be able to create a fun bonding moment…
